RE/MAX Broker Hosts Accessible Trick-or-Treating Event for Kids of All Abilities

For many kids, Halloween is a magical holiday – one filled with creativity, self-expression, and, of course, candy. But for those who live with disabilities, the occasion can feel exclusionary.

Some people, like Curtis Gross, Associate Broker of RE/MAX United in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are on a mission to change that. This year, on October 12, he partnered with the Treat Accessibly organization to host a curbside trick-or-treating event where kids of all abilities could enjoy a safe and accessible Halloween.

The scene was a neighborhood in the small, suburban town of Rockford. Participating homes displayed signs in their yards indicating that they were free from physical barriers like staircases, steep driveways, loud noises, bright lights and more. Many people set up candy stations at the base of their driveways for easy access. And Treat Accessibly was onsite to help set the spooky scene by providing 30 Halloween inflatables down the blocks.

“Our first trick-or-treater had only been able to trick-or-treat at five houses in the past, and he made it to every participating house in the neighborhood during our event. What helped was that it was light out and the crowds were smaller than on Halloween,” Gross says.

“The homeowners said it was a great way to feel like a true community.”

Twenty-five kids got to enjoy a Halloween like never before that day, including a local hero named Annika, who was Gross’ inspiration for hosting the event. The young Rockford resident was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor in 2021 and has bravely fought pediatric cancer ever since.

“Annika’s parents, Mark and Lynn Meier, are friends and clients of mine. This was an incredible opportunity to give her the chance to trick-or-treat again,” Gross says. “During the event, Annika was able to hang out for about an hour and was also excited to hand out candy to fellow trick-or-treaters.”

Gross’ Treat Accessibly event was held in partnership with Anni’s Army Foundation, which was formed by Annika’s family to raise money for the research of medulloblastoma tumors and other pediatric cancers.

“I’m so proud to be a part of a community that cares for one another. It was an honor to give back in this fun way,” Gross says. “In the real estate profession, giving back lets my community see me as more than just a sales guy and it allows me to shine a light on causes that are important to my clients.”

A Canadian-based organization, Treat Accessibly is a very active program among RE/MAX affiliates across Canada – and after Gross’ event this year, they could see an uptick in the U.S. Since 2018, RE/MAX Canada has partnered with Treat Accessibly each fall to promote inclusivity during the Halloween holiday. Many RE/MAX offices throughout the country are pick-up locations for accessible trick-or-treating yard signs. A growing movement, these signs indicate that a home has eliminated obstacles so kids of all abilities can stop by on Halloween.

Halloween is just one time throughout the year where members of the global RE/MAX network find creative and compassionate ways to give back on a local level. Check out what RE/MAX affiliates got up to during the 2024 Global RE/MAX Week and 2024 RE/MAX Month of Miracles.

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